It is our 12th Anniversary and we are loaded into the car ready to make the trek to the beach for a week of rest, relaxation, and time together. The car is PACKED!
And away we go -
By the time we make it to Centerville, a bit of hunger has set in and we're hoping Woody's Smokehouse is the key to the problem.
With fuller tummies, we are on our way once again and oooooh lookie - there's the water. So close now.
We've arrived a bit earlier than scheduled and cannot get into our house just yet, so the option is just three doors down (well, not literally, but close). Ahhhh
Into the house --- pics to show y'all - yep, it's the same place we had last year.
Within moments, I have the cover off and my beach quilt in place. Just didn't take a picture.
Dinner on the deck. We brought some fried chicken and I had made a pasta salad before leaving home. I'm starving for some reason and this just tastes so good. What a perfect view at the same time.
The tide is rapidly coming in.
What can I say? Ahhhh, my heart is so happy.
As is Mister's -
Such blue water today - love it.
The speed limit/direction to drive sign is already getting wet. This is higher than it was lasts month while here with friends.
It's almost time for the sunset walk.
A little over a mile down the beach -
The old quilt ladies house --- we spent some great moments there - and a few not so great ones too. So much rain.
My love - cannot believe it has been 12 years already. Time is just flying by.
The sun is down and we are on the return trip down the beach.
As we are walking, Mister mentions a really bright ship out on the water. Nope ---- here comes the moon. Probably too many pictures, but . . . so cool.
My favorite pic - with that we are headed to bed. Tomorrow is another day and is still on this post. Keep on reading.
11th - Good Morning!! It is so glorious to get up and walk with the sunrise. Mother Nature rewards us for this effort - well at least she doe down here at the beach. It's a beautiful Surfside day. We're walking the other direction this morning and loving every minute of it.
Here comes the pretty lady -
Morning at the beach is just wonderful. Watching it come alive while we walk brings me so much joy.
With so many clouds - the lady has hidden for a bit.
Little markings on the sand - the hunt for breakfast.
My sweetheart relaxing just makes me smile.
Changing colors and making the return trip back to the house for some coffee and breakfast.
The meeting of the minds - conference time. "Everybody look over there."
Pelicans arriving - so majestic.
Now for the day --- what is on the agenda? Nothing, absolutely nothing. Reading and sitting on the deck. Seems perfect. Perhaps a laugh or two at what takes place down on the beach.
I'm so content -- a light book in hand and giggles ensuing.
At one point Mister wants to run over to the jetty and watch a ship come in. I'm game and away we go. As we are walking up, a pelican is hanging out and apparently not too worried about me.
Down by the water's edge - an egret stands watch until he spots me and then takes flight.
Tugs going out to help -
This area is the old Velasco and now I'll educate you against your will as I want to remember this. In this area "was fought a battle -the first collision in arms between Texas colonists and the Mexican military - a conflict preliminary to the Texas war for independence. On June 26, 1832, when Texans under John Austin and Henry Smith came down river with cannon for use against Mexican forces at Anahuac, they ran against the resistance of Lt. Col. Domingo de Ugartechea. As commander of Mexican forces at Velasco, Ugartechea refused passage through the mouth of the Brazos river to the vessel bearing the cannon to Anahuac. Some 112 Texans attacked the fort at midnight, and after 9 hours under the fire of Texas rifles and cannon, the Mexican garrison was forced to surrender. The battle of Velasco, brought on by a customs quarrel at Anahuac, was unknowingly fought after the dispute at Anahuac had been peaceable settled. After the victory at San Jacinto 4 years later, President David G. Burnet moved the capital of the Republic of Texas temporarily to Velasco. Here the treaty of Velasco, ending hostilities between Texas and Mexico, was signed on May 14, 1836."
Here comes the ship - with tugs making sure it is in just the right place.
As we leave - our friendly pelican is still nearby.
"Old Velasco . . . was a historic and key Texas port of entry located near here. During the Civil War, it was fortified by troops and 8 gun batteries at the mouth of the Brazos River to provide shelter and landing facilities for blockade runners; to protect rich farmlands; and to prevent federal invasion. The South exchanged cotton for European guns, ammunition, milled goods and medicines for army and home use. Velasco was one of the busiest ports. Federal vessels attempted to stop vital trade, and constantly fired upon runners as well as the shore defenses and patrols. The runners would approach the port on dark nights when the waters were smooth, and by the use of sounding lines could determine nearness to shore and avoid blockaders. Boilers would be kept well fired with hard coal that burned with a minimum of smoke, in case it became necessary to outrun federal patrol ships. Union ships had to go to New Orleans for drinking water, food and fuel because Texas marines on rafts or dredgeboats or Texas cavalry and infantry units kept them off the shores. The raw courage of the Texas coastal defenders made this a most dramatic story in the history of the confederacy."
I LOVED this information and learned so much about the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway. "This complex of barge canals and natural channels - most valuable waterway in America - stretches 1, 116 miles from Brownsville, Tx to St. Mark's, Florida is longer, carries more tonnage than Suez and Panama canals and is a vital link in economy of Texas and has been one of the main causes of rapid development of Gulf Coast area. The canal system was begun in 1854 when a short canal was built from Galveston Bay to Mouth of Brazos River as an aid to Texas trade. It was 50 feet wide, 3 1/2 feet deep and dug by hand - labor and mule teams. Later projects widened and lengthened the canal along the coast. The most important period in the growth of the waterway system was the result of determined efforts by two Texas businessmen, Clarence S. E. Holland and Roy Miller. In 1905-1907 these men organized the initial financial support, arranged construction, and won congressional backing for canal improvements. By 1966 the annual total tonnage on the waterway exceeded 78,500 tons. Hundreds of companies now have plants or warehouses along the canal. Its impact on growth of the Gulf Coast has been immense. Several inland cities have become seaports and the canal helped to make Houston the nation's third largest port. Low shipping costs created by the waterway have brought prosperity to the entire Texas Gulf Coast."
Once back at the house --- staring at the water, reading books, and simply enjoying the day is the plan.
Beach dresses --- so simple and easy.
Mister is off to play. Can you see him?
We let the "anniversary" dinner go last night in favor of instant food. By the time he is back from swimming, I have a lovely charcuterie for us, along with a nice glass of wine.
Isn't this a nice way to spend an evening?
Tonight we walked a bit further and made it beyond the A-frames.
At this point it becomes pretty rocky and there is very little beach left.
Crab on the beach as we make our return -
We make it to the moonrise again tonight even though it is later and we are already back on the porch.
Best pic - so fun. Onto Day 3 (still in this post) - Good night.
12th - Ahhhh, the beach life. It was rainy this morning so no sunrise walk, but the day has become absolutely wonderful. Here's a shot of Mister's set-up as he tries to avoid the sun.
The camera stays put most of the day, but our evening adventure is back down at the jetty. It seems that EVERY single time I come down here, I see something new. Today it's this:
On the other side is this surf board bench memorial.
We're walking to the end of the jetty tonight --- perfect for sunset views. Egrets along the way just are so fun to see.
Looking back toward Surfside.
Walking, walking, walking with pelicans for company.
As we approach the end, there is a fisherman and a grey (blue) heron.
As I walk nearer, the blue heron is scoping out the fisherman's catch while his back is turned.
Before I can even shout, he's nabbed a fish and is taking off.
The obligatory shot ---- love that he does this with me.
Sunset time as we prepare to make the return trip back up the jetty.
The heron is back - looking for more.
As we look the other direction - no dolphins tonight.
Check out this huge log that came in.
Home again - evening time.
Moonrise is much later again --- quick pic and back to bed. Onto Day 4 and a new post.
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